The kiddie stigma...

[Semaj]

Disney is still undergoing the "cartoons are for kids" stigma, as are many other animated features.

At the discount movie theatre I work at, many moviegoers and my co-workers all consider any animated movie we receive as kids' flicks. Some moviegoers might pass on a film when they find out it's a cartoon. Some parents bring their kids just so the parents can take a nap.

This past Friday, two live-action films that were actually playing well were removed for several other films coming in. One of the movies that stayed was Rise of the Guardians, even though people stopped seeing that weeks ago (and besides the fact that it's a Christmas movie!). But they're keeping it anyway, along with Wreck-it Ralph, because the management needs at least two "kids' films" in their weekly roster.

Speaking of Wreck-it Ralph, I mentioned to one of my co-workers that it was up for an Oscar nomination. Her response was, "They're giving Oscars to kids' films?"

I suppose it's a good thing that our theatre often has two or three animated features each month. Some such as Wreck-it Ralph has played well enough to last the past two months. Arthur Christmas was re-played here last December.

Also, there ARE grown folk who come to see our animated screenings without kids. A lot of older mothers and daughters came to see Brave last year. But it's from general observation that animated film is still on a journey to overcome the kiddie stigma.

[jazzflower92]

Disney is still undergoing the "cartoons are for kids" stigma, as are many other animated features.

At the discount movie theatre I work at, many moviegoers and my co-workers all consider any animated movie we receive as kids' flicks. Some moviegoers might pass on a film when they find out it's a cartoon. Some parents bring their kids just so the parents can take a nap.

This past Friday, two live-action films that were actually playing well were removed for several other films coming in. One of the movies that stayed was Rise of the Guardians, even though people stopped seeing that weeks ago (and besides the fact that it's a Christmas movie!). But they're keeping it anyway, along with Wreck-it Ralph, because the management needs at least two "kids' films" in their weekly roster.

Speaking of Wreck-it Ralph, I mentioned to one of my co-workers that it was up for an Oscar nomination. Her response was, "They're giving Oscars to kids' films?"

I suppose it's a good thing that our theatre often has two or three animated features each month. Some such as Wreck-it Ralph has played well enough to last the past two months. Arthur Christmas was re-played here last December.

Also, there ARE grown folk who come to see our animated screenings without kids. A lot of older mothers and daughters came to see Brave last year. But it's from general observation that animated film is still on a journey to overcome the kiddie stigma.

The term for that would be Animation Age Ghetto.

[Disney Duster]

But it's from general observation that animated film is still on a journey to overcome the kiddie stigma.

I would say it journeyed from being for everyone to being for kiddies, actually.

[thelittleursula]

I think it's a generational thing. They grew up during a time where it was considered the normal for cartoons and Disney to be "kiddie "

However we are becoming more aware that Walt didn't just aim his entertainment for children just in mind. So that " animation means children entertainment " is slowly being dropped.

I think in 20-30 years time, animation is going to be seen as something for everybody, because of how mostly Generation Y and some X are adults and teens who support the animation is for everybody idea and it's not just for kids. And when they have kids/ we have kids/ our kids, they'll be taught that animation is for all ages.

I think that it can happen sooner, if we get a bit more brave about it.

I remember when I first brought home my first anime DVD, my Mum almost fainted by how violent and sexual it was, for a "cartoon ".

[SWillie!]

I hate this. It's one thing that really really bothers me. The fact that so many people don't see a difference between a "kids movie" and a "movie that isn't exclusively for adults" is so irritating. There's a difference between something like a theatrical animated film that is meant to be enjoyable for people of all ages and something like some animated TV show on Disney Jr that is made specifically for children.

Especially as someone who has spent the past five years studying film theory and animation genres, and really being aware of how much thought is put into these films to make them universally appealing... The way people just dismiss that as nonsense for children... I mean, you just have to be stupid to not see a difference.

I feel a lot of the stigma is just people trying appear more "grown-up", because they know society has told them that "cartoons are for children". I think half the people that say "cartoons are for kids" do genuinely enjoy them, but will not admit that because they don't want to come off strange.

I really hope that in the coming years we'll continue to see this stigma wear out.

Edit: Also, I have to add that there is also a stigma in regards to a career in animation, unfortunately. Of course there are plenty of people (like you fine folks) who have a great appreciation for all the talented people that create these films, or at the very least think "wow, that's pretty cool!" But SO many people, when told I'm going into animation, respond with something like "so, like, you just draw cartoons? Could you draw me?" And while that in and of itself isn't a bad thing (as in, drawing cartoons is not offensive - I love drawing cartoons), but the undertone that comes with it (so... You just sit and doodle all day?") makes it very clear that most people wouldn't consider a job in animation a "real job", and have no idea the amount of work that goes into it. It's very frustrating, and I'm glad there are plenty of people who do enjoy the behind-the-scenes stuff.

[Linden]

Yes! The kiddie stigma bugs me so much, and it comes up in everything! I usually try to "stay in the closet" as an animation fan, because it can be so offensive when people talk about animation. I've had both my grandma and my dad tell me that I'm too old for animated movies and that it's time I move on to more mature entertainment. I don't really understand why people bother to look down on it so much. I mean, everybody loves some form of animation at some point in their lives.

This topic reminds me of a blurb on Cartoon Brew and the comments that go along with it.

[Sotiris]

The stigma is very much alive and present today. People are incredibly ignorant and judgmental when it comes to this.

I'll share an incident that occurred a couple of years ago. It happened when I went to watch Winnie the Pooh in theaters. I was apprehensive at first but then I decided to go to support hand-drawn animation and because I don't really care what other people think.

So, I went to the screening alone. No kid accompanying me as a cover up. Not only did I get strange looks but the box office attendant didn't even believe I actually wanted to watch such a movie.

Here's how our conversation went:

-"One ticket for Winnie the Pooh, please."
-"Is it for you?"
-"Yes."
-"For Winnie the Pooh?"
-"Yes."
-"Are you sure?"
-"Yes, I'm sure."

I know this is a bit different because Pooh is not just animated but considered a preschool property too but you get the idea.

[Linden]

^What a rude, unprofessional person! I went to Winnie the Pooh by myself, too. Nobody I knew wanted to see it. I think the ticket booth worker just smiled, so it wasn't that big of a deal for me.

[Semaj]

The stigma is very much alive and present today. People are incredibly ignorant and judgmental when it comes to this.

I'll share an incident I once had. It happened when I went to watch Winnie the Pooh in theaters. I was apprehensive at first but then I decided to go to support hand-drawn animation and because I don't really care what other people think.

So, I went to the screening alone. No kid accompanying me as a cover up. Not only did I get strange looks but the box office attendant didn't even believe I actually wanted to watch such a movie.

Here's how our conversation went:

-"One ticket for Winnie the Pooh, please."
-"Is it for you?"
-"Yes."
-"For Winnie the Pooh?"
-"Yes."
-"Are you sure?"
-"Yes, I'm sure."

That's terrible. No one should be made guilty for their movie preferences.

[Super Aurora]

The stigma is very much alive and present today. People are incredibly ignorant and judgmental when it comes to this.

I'll share an incident that occurred a couple of years ago. It happened when I went to watch Winnie the Pooh in theaters. I was apprehensive at first but then I decided to go to support hand-drawn animation and because I don't really care what other people think.

So, I went to the screening alone. No kid accompanying me as a cover up. Not only did I get strange looks but the box office attendant didn't even believe I actually wanted to watch such a movie.

Here's how our conversation went:

-"One ticket for Winnie the Pooh, please."
-"Is it for you?"
-"Yes."
-"For Winnie the Pooh?"
-"Yes."
-"Are you sure?"
-"Yes, I'm sure."

I know this is a bit different because Pooh is not just animated but considered a preschool property too but you get the idea.

You should of punch the pimple faced fucker in the face. At least you'd help solve his acne problem.

[Sotiris]

You should of punch the pimple faced fucker in the face. At least you'd help solve his acne problem.

It was a woman, actually.

[thelittleursula]

I can relate to Sotiris.

When Princess and the Frog came out I wanted to go see it and I was speaking to my Mum about it in the public library.

Me " The last Disney movie I saw in the cinema was Lilo and Stitch "

Mum " I remember seeing Mulan with you, I quite liked the one "

Me " Well there is a new 2D one coming out called the Princess and the Frog "

Mum " Oh, okay ! "

Me " Well.... I love Disney still and I really want to go see this one... "

/ A middle aged woman listening to our conversation trips over nothing, and then gets up and then walks by....

My Mum didn't mind, but clearly she had a big issue with it.

[Sky Syndrome]

I kind of feel sorry for those people snubbing animation. They're missing out on wondrous creatures and worlds that have so much work put into them.
I watched this gem for the first time a few hours ago and it touched me deeply.
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[sunhuntin]

wow, that was beautiful! thanks for posting that/

[carlossilva]

I believe there is a time when people are teens where, for a lot of people, ditching animation movies is a way of stating that one's no longer a child. A few years down the line, part of these people will probably watch them again.

I have two kids which are now a 16-yr old boy and a 13-yr. old girl. When Winnie The Pooh was on theaters here in Portugal, I told them: " Next Sunday I'm gonna watch Winnie The Pooh ! Anybody wanna come ? ". My daughter did, but not my son. However, he did want to watch " Wreck-It Ralph" ( perhaps due to the video game environment ), while the girl passed on it.


Anyway, my little piece of advice: if someone tells you animated movies are kiddie stuff, just make them watch Studio Ghibli's Grave of the Fireflies and ask them whether they liked the kiddie stuff.

Carlos

[estefan]

Anyway, my little piece of advice: if someone tells you animated movies are kiddie stuff, just make them watch Studio Ghibli's Grave of the Fireflies and ask them whether they liked the kiddie stuff.

Or even better, Fritz the Cat, and watch their jaw drop to the ground.

[kbehm29]

^What a rude, unprofessional person! I went to Winnie the Pooh by myself, too. Nobody I knew wanted to see it. I think the ticket booth worker just smiled, so it wasn't that big of a deal for me.

This makes me angry. The new Pooh was such an endearing and comical movie and every time I think of the box office result I get mad. So much better than a lot of crap that comes to theaters. If I didn't have kids, I would have gone to see it by myself also (and come out of the theater thinking I got a bargain for the price I paid BTW).
I wish more people would have an open mind about the movies they see. Some people just don't know what they're missing.
Off-topic, but similar in point, my boss asked for advice on a vacation destination other than Disney because they go every year. I recommended Mount Rushmore & surrounding area because my family really enjoyed that trip (almost moreso than Disney, at 1/5 the cost). She wouldn't even consider it for a second. She will never see the beautiful monument, never mind the black hills and the badlands and Crazy horse and Custer State Park because she doesn't know what she's missing. She's afraid to go outside the box. Adults would really enjoy most animation if they'd give it a chance.
OK I'm done venting.

[disneyboy20022]

My dad can be like that sometimes, If I'm watching a Disney Film like The Lion King if he gets up and I'm watching that he tells me he doesn't want to watch cartoonies today. But then at other times he's okay with it...

[Siren]

I have been criticized for enjoying animation more than live action much of the time. Since I was in high school. Though I have had less and less comments in recent years. I think it has a mix of many animated features are geared at adults as much as kids now....look at Shrek and Wreck It Ralph for example. A majority of jokes and gags were references for adults. Also my 'yes, I like animation, why does this bother you?' Attitude. I post on a local message board that consists mostly of adults ages 35-55. I often post threads about upcoming movies I am looking forward to, many of them animated. And now and then I get a member who makes a snide remark and then gets mad when I am not offended and carry on my discussion.
At work I was telling the girls about My Little Pony:Friendship is Magic. They teased me, but not being mean. One of the ladies has a granddaughter one month older than my youngest daughter so she watched the show with her one day, next day she came in and said she saw what I meant about liking it and likes the show herself now too. Not as big of a fan but rather watch it over many of the other kid shows.
I also know some people who see adults liking anime as totally normal but not Disney movies. Or its okay to like say, Pixar and DreamWorks but not Disney animation. Double standards abound.
The stigma will always by there with some but who cares? Your enjoyment of animation is all that matters. Some refuse to understand it.

[Super Aurora]

Anyway, my little piece of advice: if someone tells you animated movies are kiddie stuff, just make them watch Studio Ghibli's Grave of the Fireflies and ask them whether they liked the kiddie stuff.

Or even better, Fritz the Cat, and watch their jaw drop to the ground.

or even better yet, anime porn. Let's not forget Hokotu no Ken either or Berserk or Perfect Blue etc etc.